Hyosung Aquila GV250 Review - The Real Cruiser?

Model Tested: 2014 Hyosung Aquila GV250
Launch Date: 6th February, 2014
Price: INR 2,82,500 (ex-showroom Mumbai)
Kilometres tested: 200+ kms, Lonavala, Pune
Bike tested by: Ajinkya Paralikar
Waiting Period: Availability not an issue

The Aquila GV250 features a long and flowing design from the front to the rear fenders. Hyosung's cruiser looks muscular and has great road presence. The headlight, tail light and chunky alloy wheels all add to the old world charm of the cruiser, while the extensive use of good-looking chrome lends it plenty of character.

The paint work is excellent and the minimalistic use of vinyl is a thumbs up to both Hyosung as well as DSK. The chrome-plated engine, air scoops with the EFI logo, front shocks, exhaust pipes, grab rails and many other tit-bits all work together to add a premium touch.

The Aquila GV250 will sport a 250cc, V-twin engine and will be oil-cooled. The new motorcycle will be fuel-injected and will generate 26.21 bhp of power and 21.37 Nm of torque.

The Korean manufacturer claims a fuel economy of 30 kpl - our test returned a combined economy of 28 kpl on the highway and in the city. This number may decrease dramatically if used only in the city.

This is a great motorcycle for long, smooth roads. The handlebars and seating offer an easy riding posture. There may be some issues for shorter riders though, as the foot controls are stretched out far in front. The clutch and gearbox are smooth and precise, however, they are a bit awkwardly placed and will take some time getting used to as well, especially if you are used to non-cruiser bikes.

The Aquila GV250 does heat up a fair bit though not as intensely as the KTM Duke 390. The pillion seat is comfortable and provides loads of space, but there is a small issue. There is no back rest or sissy bar, which is a rather glaring oversight for a cruiser.

The Aquila may look bulky and heavy but weighs just 167 kg without fluids. The bike handles corners well but its suspension is set up hard, which makes it a little tough to ride on our undulated roads. Also, the exclusion of a wind deflector makes it difficult to maintain high speeds for a long period.

The braking isn't as sharp as we would have liked though. This is despite the front brakes having two calipers to aid braking. The rear brakes don't impress as well, since operating them is a nightmare - the pedal is placed too far out to operate easily.

The instrument cluster sports both a speedometer as well as an RPM counter. Both these gauges are analogue and keep with the retro image of the bike. The black background with white and red readings work well and add a sporty element to the console. While the odometer, trip meter, fuel and time gauges are all digital, the buttons provided to switch between modes were not accurate and had to be pressed at an angle to function.

While Hyosung have improved the plastic quality for switches, there is still plenty of room for further improvement. The Aquila GV250 has permanently-lit instrumentation as a safety feature. In addition, the bike features hazard lights, a nice touch by the Korean manufacturer.

Hyosung will offer the Aquila 250 in three colour options - black with grey decals, white with reddish-brown decals and black with reddish-brown decals.

Pros:

Old school design
Fit and finish up to the mark
Power and acceleration
Ride comfort

Cons:

Vibrations post 100 km/h
Stiff rear suspension
Front footrest stretched out
No backrest and windshield
Rear drum brakes and no inclusion of ABS

X-Factor:

Retro designed cruiser with a mild modern appeal

Value for money:

2.5 / 5
(Price: INR 2,82,500 ex-showroom Mumbai)

Our Hyosung Aquila GV250 review ends here. Do feel free to reach out to us for any queries or suggestions - we greatly value your feedback.

Founded in 1978 as a sub-division of the massive Hyosung Group, Hyosung Motors & Machinery Inc. began producing motorcycles under license for the South Korean market in 1979.

In 1986, Hyosung established an independent research and development centre in Japan and began mass production of its own designs the following year. Hyosung was also the official supplier of motorcycles during the Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988.

Over the course of the last 20 years, Hyosung has successfully transitioned from producing simple, efficient commuter bikes into the highly competitive recreational motorcycle market.